<font color="darkorange">New York Knicks(13-21)</font> @ <font color="red">Chicago Bulls (15-22)</font> Madison Square Garden, New York Wednesday, Jan. 18th 8:30pm, MSG, CSN-Chicago, NBALP <div align="center"> @ </div> <font size="2">Are the Knicks taking a step backwards? After an impressive six-game winning streak, the Knicks are now on a two game winning streak with their captain, Stephon Marbury possibly out, could the Knicks put themselves back in the hole they dug themselves into at the beginning of the season? With Chicago, another struggling team, fighting to make the playoffs, expect a dramatic confrontation, especially with so many former Knicks and Bulls players.</font> [div=50%] <font size="3"><div align="center"><font color="red">Chicago Bulls</font></div></font> Projected Starters <div align="center"> </div> Backcourt [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kirk_hinrich.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">PG – Kirk Hinrich</font> 14.4ppg, 6.5apg, 41.3%fg I love Kirk’s game. He plays great defense, can score and dish the basketball very well. What’s not to like about him. He’s been a leader ever since he’s been a part of the Bulls franchise and is one of the captains. The Knicks need to be aware of Hinrich’s shooting ability and guard the friggin’ pereimeter! [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/ben_gordon.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">SG – Ben Gordon </font> 14.3ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.7apg Ben Gordon, last year’s Sixth Man of the Year, is as good a scorer as there is … and … well … hmm … that’s all he does. His defense needs work, he’s extremely turnover prone, doesn’t rebound or pass well, and can get out of control on offense sometimes. If the Knicks play good defense and shut Gordon down, expect him to be a non-factor. FrontCourt [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/luol_deng.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">SF –Luol Deng </font> 13.5ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.8apg Deng, a one-time Blue Devil, is an athletic swingman who normally comes off the bench, but started the last game. Deng has an improved jumper and shoots 47% from the field. Most of his points come off drives, but, being wide open, I’m sure he can knock down some shots. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/othella_harrington.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">C – OthellA Harrington</font> 5.7ppg, 2.9rpg, 0.5apg Remember him when he was with the Knicks? Listed at 6’9”, Harrington is more like 6’7”. He started over Chandler last game for some odd reason. If he, at a generous 6’7”, 235 pounds goes up against Curry, I wonder who’ll win. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/mike_sweetney.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">PF – Michael Sweetney </font> 10.1ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.1apg Watching Sweetney for the past two years, we know what to expect from him: hard work, rebounding, and a post presence. One flaw Sweetney has is his fouling. Often times Sweetney picks up two quick fouls and plays only about 20 minutes or so when he could be playing 30+ minutes. <u>Keys To Game</u> <font color="red">Defense:</font> The Bulls used to be a top-notch defensive team, but they’ve lost it a bit. Now, the Bulls are averaging around 97 points per game. Also, against a tough defense, especially zone, the Knicks struggle. <font color="red">Rebounding:</font> Another bad rebounding team, Chicago needs to limit second chance buckets because the Knicks are the fourth best rebounding team. With the Knicks struggling from the outside, they will look to take it inside. [/div] <font size="3"><div align="center"><font color="darkorange">New York Knicks</font></div></font> Projected Starters <div align="center"> ??? </div> Backcourt [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/nate_robinson.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkOrange">PG – Nate Robinson</font> 9.0ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.9apg Nate’s energy must be used tonight. With Marbury likely out, Robinson will need to take things into his own hands while letting the game come to him. He also needs to limit things on the opposing backcourt. He is at a disadvantage with his height, but, as he said, he can play like a giant. Do that, Nate. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/jamal_crawford.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">SG – Jamal Crawford</font> 15.2ppg, 3.4apg, 3.6rpg Marbury’s probably out, so Crawford must step up. Crawford’s been great at times, but he’s also been not too great. With Crawford playing his former team, will he be pumped up? Last time he dropped 28 points including that ankle-breaker on Gordon, that behind the head pass to Ariza, and those many wet jumpers. Frontcourt [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/david_lee.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">SF – David Lee</font> 5.2ppg, 5.0rpg, 0.8apg It will be nice for the Bulls to see Lee in the starting lineup. They were originally trying to steal him from us in the Curry trade. They made him a promise if they could get a pick in the draft, but, unfortunately, they didn’t. Lee will have to outrebound Deng and keep him in check. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/eddy_curry.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">C – Eddy Curry </font> 14.5ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.0bpg Now coming back to Chicago facing his former team, I look forward to seeing what Curry would do. Now with a healthy heart, Curry should do some damage, especially with Othella Harrington on him (what a joke). Hopefully Curry drops 20+ points with 7+ rebounds. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/antonio_davis.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">PF – Antonio Davis</font> 4.7ppg, 4.8rpg, 0.29bpg If Davis can get Sweetney into some foul trouble, it will be a huge plus. Davis must use his experience over the three-year veteran and rebound the basketball. If he does that I’ll be happy. Then people will think he’s useful and we can hopefully get someone good with his expiring contract. <u>Keys To The Game</u> <font color="darkorange">Deal With the Friggin’ Zone:</font> Teams are finding out: the Knicks can’t shoot! The Knicks are getting many open looks when the zone is being played, but they just can’t knock them down. We can’t afford any bad days with our record. The Knicks must hit their shots! <font color="darkorange">Interior Offense:</font> If we can’t get anything from the outside, we’ll just have to attack the inside. Curry can’t afford to struggle like he did against Minnesota where he missed layups and other easy baskets. We didn’t give up Sweetney, two first round picks, and two second round picks for that. Prediction: Post them below.
Should be interesting to see how Eddy Curry handles his return to Chicago. The Bulls should know exactly how to stop him and without Marbury in the lineup, the Knicks are going to struggle finding easy looks. I just don't see how the Knicks can win this game, they need some time to adjust to life without Stephon. The Bulls backcourt should be able to take advantage and control the tempo of this game. Lousy offense v. Good defense is a recipe for blowout basketball.
Curry needs to display his potential as a franchise player, with Marbury out, Nate and Crawford unable to run an offense consistant, Curry should take charge...damn...Chandler, Harrington, Sweetney all suck...do something.
I'm concerned about Curry. He looked real hurt after that play when he dived on the ball. Hopefully he's okay.
It was a great and exciting game but just a heartbreaker for the Knicks. The played great and i felt they would win. Gordon, the new Knick killer. BTW- I noticed Marbury looks really good and sophisticated in his suit. I don't mean that in any gay way. lol
what happend was there was some bulls fan talking to his wife and AD saw his wife calling him or something and so he jumped to the scoreres table and ran into the crowd, nothing happend though but his family were escorted to somewhere else... all this happend because of taylor/duhon's fight
AD went into stands cause he saw his wife falling backwards and he thought his wife was being threatened by fans...the guy who was talking to his wife was drunk so I can see why he is concerned if they suspend him I would be really pissed....but Stern gotta ask himself..."Would I just watch my family possibly be threatened and not do anything?" yeah thought so I would protect my family too, but I'm 16 so no wife and kids for me xP
^ Oh yes! From now on I'm going to call him Ben "Knick Killer" Gordon. This is like his second GW shot against the Knicks and against the KNICKS is when he gets his season high. I'm sorry but Ben Gordon just hates you guys. lol.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Avery:</div><div class="quote_post">^ Oh yes! From now on I'm going to call him Ben "Knick Killer" Gordon. This is like his second GW shot against the Knicks and against the KNICKS is when he gets his season high. I'm sorry but Ben Gordon just hates you guys. lol.</div> actually its his thrid game winner against the knicks, if you watch nba tv daily on nba.com right now they recaped gordon's last years 2 game winners against the knicks, one of em was a tear drop shot another was a jump shot
